Junction 17 wins prestigious design award
Multi-million pound mental health centre for young people Junction 17 has been awarded ‘Design Project of the Year’ at the first Design in Mental Health Network National Awards (DIMHN) which was held in Birmingham last week.
The awards event was part of the annual DIMHN Conference which showcases outstanding mental health design from around the world whilst bringing together those involved in mental health environments to collaborate and improve outcomes.
Award winners Junction 17 fought off quality international competition with mental health projects from as far afield as Athens and Australia. The ceremony was attended by senior figures from the field of mental health delivery including Procure 21+, NHS England, Mind, The King's Fund, Architects for Health as well as architects, contractors and suppliers from across Europe.
Throughout the building project, architects Gilling Dod worked with a development group made up of young people, art and occupational therapists, psychiatrists and service providers to work towards creating a young people-friendly, accessible centre. This included, amongst other things, work with architects on the concept of a ‘snug’ where young people staying at the centre can relax in a comfortable, quiet and calm space.
The two-storey centre has 20 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, an art room, activity areas and outside spaces including courtyards and gardens as well as a college with a sports and recreational hall and bespoke learning environments for inpatients to attend.
Deborah Partington, Specialist Services Network Director said, “We understand that the clinical environment has a massive influence on service user recovery and so we welcomed the input of the young people and their families and carers during the design process of this wonderful project.
“An enormous amount of hard work has taken place to get us here and it’s great that our efforts have been recognised at this prestigious event. We would like to thank architects Gilling Dod, Integrated Health Projects (IHP), GMW staff and all the young people involved in the project.”
The centre which opened in April last year provides specialist treatment for young people with severe mental health problems including; eating disorders, self-harming behaviour, mood disorders, psychosis and poor coping skills such as misusing substances.
Junction 17 offers emotional and mental health support groups to help young people address their specific issues, occupational and art therapy and various types of one to one support and therapy.
